5 reasons why Gordon Hayward should re-sign with the Utah Jazz

Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) defends Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as he drives to the basket in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Much of the Utah Jazz's offseason plans revolve around retaining their All-Star small forward Gordon Hayward. What should entice him to return?

Even while facing a second straight season of sustained injury woes, the Utah Jazz continued their climb into contention and surprised most of the league by reeling off a 50-win season.

For the first time in a while, things are looking up in Salt Lake City, but the Jazz face a crucial offseason. Many key assets will be hitting free agency, such as point guard George Hill or sharpshooting wing Joe Ingles, but the most important one is unquestionably forward Gordon Hayward.

Hayward made his first All-Star appearance this season as part of a breakout year. He averaged a career-high 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 47.1 percent shooting, the per-game outputs of which, according to Basketball-Reference, only nine other players matched or surpassed.

Not much is known about Hayward's desires in free agency, which has led to a wide range of speculation as to his possible destinations, with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Indiana Pacers all receiving mention at some point.

It doesn't look like Hayward has put a lot of thought towards his free agency yet, as ESPN reports he hasn't even decided whether or not to opt out of his deal or not.

There are several things he should consider when evaluating the positives of returning to Utah for the foreseeable future, five of which are outlined to follow.

Jan 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Jazz defeated the Timberwolves 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Finances

Disregarding the on-court situation entirely, the Jazz present the best financial situation for Hayward to remain in, being that they can offer him the most money no matter what route he takes with the process.

If he truly wants to make the most money possible, the best option would be to first make one of the three All-NBA teams for this season, which will be announced in late June. He would then need to forgo free agency and opt-in to his current contract at $16.7 million for next season, or agree to terms on a one-year deal with the Jazz.

This would make him, with eight years of experience, eligible for the newly implemented Designated Veteran Extension. This contract is worth 35 percent of a team's current cap space, and would make Hayward a very wealthy man, as The Sporting News lays out.

(The DVE) would set him up to earn about $235 million in the next six years. Hayward would be taking a risk by giving up money in the short term (or he could risk a new, one-year deal with the Jazz), but he would be rewarded with a significant pay bump the following year if he can cinch a spot on the All-NBA team. He can only earn that bump, though, if he stays with Utah.

That last part is key — short of a sign-and-trade Hayward can't get the special extension anywhere else he would wind up, no matter that team's cap situation, which gives an inherent advantage to Utah.

Even if Hayward doesn't want to wait a year to get a longer-term deal, the Jazz can still offer him the most money. Other teams can offer him a maximum of four years and $132 million, but Utah could pony up five years and $180 million.

The money isn't that different per year, but the extra year of financial security by the age of 32 could be appealing to Hayward, especially as the salary cap is projected to slow in terms of its current explosive growth.

There are obviously more factors at play, but in terms of money, Utah is by far the most lucrative situation for Hayward to be in. This is by design, as the NBA wants smaller-market teams to be able to keep their high-priced free agents.

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Alpha

We can't know for sure the roster makeup of the other teams seeking to acquire Hayward, but it's fairly safe to say that many of them, like the Celtics or Pacers, have another star established who likely won't want to relinquish his power over the organization.

NBA stars have the most power of any professional athlete, both in terms of impact on the floor and advice for front office procedures. Hayward doesn't seem like the type of player that may want to exert his influence over organizational decisions, but it's still an important attribute to be had as your franchise's centerpiece.

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There has to be something special to being the featured star on a particular team, especially when you are paid like one, as Hayward could be in Utah.

The Jazz roster as currently constructed is built to maximize Hayward's versatile skillset, and it will become even more so should the front office be reassured he'll be staying longer term.

There's also the possibility down the road of being the one to finally bring a championship to Salt Lake City, something not even accomplished by the famed duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

Whether or not Hayward is one of the league's top-five, top-10, or top-20 players is irrelevant when it comes to his free agency.

Players of his talent level don't just fall into your lap, especially in Utah's small-market setting.

Playing in a bigger city with other stars or a more cutthroat press or fan base can be tiring. The best situation in terms of individual impact for Hayward is at home in Utah.

Feb 4, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3), forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate after basket in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz defeated the Charlotte Hornets 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Support System

It will be strained over the coming summers by contract extensions and the passage of time, but the Jazz currently have one of the deepest and better-constructed rosters in the NBA.

Twelve different players averaged more than 15 minutes per game in 2016-17, that depth bringing with it a versatility that allowed them to match up with any style or size of opponent.

This is a welcome trait for a team to have when attracting a star. You only have to look as far as the Los Angeles Clippers, who the Jazz beat in the first round of this year's playoffs, to see a talented team that was let down by their bench when they needed it.

From what we've seen out of Hayward's teammates during the season and their exit interviews, they seem to expect that he will be back, or at least has a strong desire to return.

George Hill whose return to Utah is similarly up in the air, gave us some inside insight into Hayward's headspace.

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Returning both Hayward and Hill would the the best-case scenario for the Jazz. From the team's exit interviews, it would seem that both players are on the same page and have an expressed desire to return to Utah.

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20), guard George Hill (3) and forward Derrick Favors (15) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Team Trajectory

Having just turned 27 in March, Hayward likely has another two to three years of play at his peak before he starts his physical decline, although there will be surely be productive years beyond that.

For the Jazz, this developmental timing is perfect, as the other main cogs of the team such as Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors or Rodney Hood are still growing as players themselves.